Catching up

It's been quite some time since I had the combination of time and opportunity to update the blog. Of time I have lots, but our house is 10km S of town and I'm often without wheels. Also we have had many visitors. Anyway, since there has been so much time elapsed I think this post may struggle for organization.

Today is Thursday - At three o'clock the neighborhood kids will come and hear Anh tell them a story. Last week it was about Moses and the Exodus and there were about thirty kids. We treat them with popcorn and candy and try to teach them about hand washing and brushing teeth and also introduce some simple English. Last week it was counting 1-5 and 'How are you', 'Fine, Thank you'. They seemed to enjoy it. We give a prize for the one best able to recount the story they heard. I think Doug will be joining us today.

Impound of Hanh's bike - One evening the house keeper loaned Hanh's motorbike to her son. He proceeded to town without a helmet and got the bike impounded. They originally said for thirty days (major bummer). What I learned is that when your bike is impounded here, you not only loose the use of it during the time it's impounded, but the police steal parts from it. What you get back may not be near the bike you had. At times like this, money can come in handy. After two or three days and the paying of some money, she was able to reclaim her bike. They tell me that in December the helmet law will be universal. How that works remains to be seen. Most don't wear them.

Miss Stinky (Co Hoi) here is a picture of the queen of the pups. She is the largest and most aggressive of the 5 puppies. As a result, she is the best fed, because she either steals or intimidates the other dogs.

There is another dog I call 'Skinny' because his bones show. I was not sure initially if he would live because he didn't look like he'd been getting any food. We've been arranging separate dining for Skinny and he seems to be responding. Now he plays and runs and is developing a round little puppy figure.

There is also a really small dog I call 'shorty'. He is irresistibly cute. He gets special dinner seating as well.

Last night we went to dinner with Doug and Mai Greene. I'm enjoying getting to know them. We seem to hit it off right from the start and never lack for things to talk about. They have been coming here since 1990 and so have many interesting tales and observations to share.

Networking - There is a grapevine here that you would not believe. Our friend was in Phan Thiet trying to get a taxi to our house which is near a resort called "Hon Gio". She mentioned Hon Gio and the driver asked if she was looking for the house of the Viet Kieu (That would be us). Here they call Vietnamese that have lived abroad and returned "Viet Kieu" (sp) One gets the impression that everyone knows we are here, and that we are the hot news topic. Go figure...

Internet Cafe - I'm using a different one today. Like all the others I've been in, it is primarily a place for teen aged kids to waste time either playing games or instant messaging. Nothing that would pass for productive time. When I asked about the ability to upload some pictures, the young man asked if my wife was Ngoc-Anh. As it turns out, his name is Bao and he attends the same CMA Church as us. One nice thing about this place is that it has AC and is fairly pleasant. There is currently a lull in the gum chewers and the noise has subsided.

Dick and Dung - We heard good news about Dick's health. He was suffering abdominal discomfort and went to the French hospital in HCMC to be treated. I was told that they'd discovered an ulcer, but Dick tells me that they found nothing.

Hanh has concluded her business and come to reclaim me. So I guess I better wrap this up for now. I'm only going to be here for another week.